Monday, October 5, 2015

8 Reasons Why A Teenager Is Scarier Than A Threenager

I first heard the word "threenager" while reading a blog post. Apparently, to some, three-year-olds are a lot like teenagers.

Perhaps.

But it's a little different when you have an actual teenager. In my eyes, teenagers are scarier than threenagers. And here is why.

1. Teenagers are bigger. So they can take you down if they wanted to. Three-year-olds can attack your knees. They do bite, but it's more chilling to see the person you made towering over you--eyes blazing with anger, with red pimples all over their face.

2. Teenagers voices are deeper. When they are upset with you, shouting is terrifying when it's no longer in an adorable chipmunk voice. I'd laugh at my three-year-old when they got upset because it was amusing to hear, "I don't YIKE this!" I don't laugh as much when my teenager booms, "Nothing is going right today!" and the walls are shaking.

3. If teenagers throw a fit in public, people judge. This is because everyone assumes a teenager should have their feelings in check. Newsflash: they don't. If a three-year-old is throwing a fit, some people will throw sympathetic looks towards the parent. Looks that say, "We've all been there. Hang in there." When a teenager does it, people mutter something about juvenile detention facilities.

4. Teenagers want more expensive things. A three-year-old might beg for a plastic Paw Patrol set. A teenager is like, "Can I have the new iPhone?" You might assume that when kids get older that it won't be as expensive--finally, no more toys--but it's not true.

5. Teenagers won't stop eating. You'll watch as they inhale most of a large pizza. A three-year-old will pick at their food. They'll be content with a bag of character fruit snacks. But a teenager will ask for more food, even if they've just eaten ten minutes ago. You'll be amazed when they go, "There's nothing to eat!" You'll say, "But I just went grocery shopping two days ago. There's plenty." You'll open the pantry door and blink with disbelief when you find that everything is gone.

6. The mood of a teenager can change instantly. One second they'll be laughing and you'll think, "This is great!" The next second they'll be wearing a scowl and grumbling something about how "their life is over." Yes, a three-year-old can have terrible mood swings. But again, it's not quite as frightening to hear a chipmunk voice go, "My life is OVER!"

7. Teenagers have a bigger vocabulary so their words can hurt. A three-year-old might go, "You're a poopy-head!" That amuses me. A teenager might write a long letter on how you are ruining their life. They might go on a tirade on how "they didn't ask to be born." A three-year-old will eventually tucker out and be ready for a nap. One hour later, and your teenager might still be ranting.

8. ....or a teenager might fall silent and not speak at all. A three-year-old is rarely quiet. But when a teenager goes quiet, you wonder what's happening. Are they talking with a pedophile online? Are they secretly doing drugs? Drinking? What's happening? What's going on? And all they'll say is, "I'm fine." Are you being bullied? WHAT'S GOING ON? "Fine." A three-year-old will tell you all about their day. "Janie picked her boogers. Parker wants to know if he can paint his cat. Dora found the hidden treasure."

Bottom line? Teenagers are frightening creatures. Sometimes I even wish my teenager could morph into a three-year-old again.

But then I remember how my three-year-old couldn't be left home alone. So I think I'll keep the teenager.

I've had my threenagers, but I am terrified of the teen years. Yes, I am scared to death about BOTH of my kids becoming teens. My son because I don't know what to expect and my daughter because I already know she is going to be trouble!

The tween years are scaring me enough- the teen years are scary to me. Though I don't know, I think the benefits probably outweigh the negatives (like that leaving home alone thing or being potty trained).

This is my last year of freedom before I have a teenager and a toddler in the home at the same time. ( I was CRAZY for considering to do this! Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. NOT that I'd trade having my daughter!!) I loved this article because it's very true in many ways.

Teenagers as well as young 21 year old adults are definitely scary at times - I can totally relate. I miss my babies being babies to be honest. Life was so much easier when they were toddlers and young 5, 6 and 7 year olds. LOL

Amber - I hear ya. I look at moms of toddlers in the grocery store and think - oh you are so lucky! You "only" have a crying child. Just wait until that little one is 12 or 13 - just wait. They will have peer pressure influence showing them exactly how to get their way even more so! Ugh - can't we just lock them up in a tower until they are "of age?" It worked for Rapunzel.

Haha funny and enjoyable post! Mine is sort of in the middle, about to turn 7....he is already girl crazy so I have to say I am a little worried about how he will be ten years from now lol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

That's such a good point. Teens are so much like toddlers. And you're right about people not giving them the same leeway as toddlers when they are having a bad day, which is often enough. #SITSSharefest

My children are now 18 and 20, and now I wish that they were 3 all over again. The teen years are rough because of the battle of wills. Yes, I love their independence, but I also love the affection of a 3 year old. Maybe I'm just stuck on being nostalgic.

Oh my goodness yes!! My oldest just turned 18, and she was way scarier than a 3 year old ever thought about being! Not to mention you can put a 3 year old in time out. A teenager you have to take things away from, which makes the whole ordeal that much worse!

Goodness gracious, I completely I agree! All the kids were challenging when they were around three years old but teenagers...are more than scary. I have been there done that at both ages and I would take the three year old's responses any day!

Loved this post, you had me laughing. I would agree that teenagers are a bit scarier then a three year old. I would agree with number 6 about their moods because they can often change in a blink of an eye. They are also very good at giving the silent treatment.

Teenagers have a lot more concerns in life and most of them are emotional, I'm not sure I can handle that yet, so I'm going to enjoy the kids being under 10. I mean, I'm pretty sure my mom almost went crazy when I was a teen.

This is a great post on the reason why a teenager is scarier than a threenager. It is so true that a teenager acts like a three year old at times. I really never compared them like this but I have to say you are so right. Thanks for sharing these reasons.

There might be really such huge differences when it comes to the two but I guess I will prefer the teenager. At least you could never be afraid of leaving them alone by themselves and worrying what they might have done.

YES to all of this!! I may not have kids but I do have nieces and nephews and once those hormones kick in they are like different people!! THe change in them is crazy and yes, people notice more when they act out!

Now a mom of a 13 year old boy (yeah, just have a new teen in the house!) and a younger 11 year old boy, you got me on most of these points. It's going to be a tougher road ahead but we parents are ready for all the challenges involved (sigh).